SEA-Quester Policy Assessment

The European Union-funded SEA-Quester project is conducting exploratory research into newly emerging European and polar blue carbon habitats. This assessment supports these efforts by evaluating how blue carbon is currently acknowledged in national and international climate and biodiversity policy frameworks using the Arctic as a case study. To accomplish this, we analysed national submissions from Arctic Council member states, observer countries, and the European Union, complemented by interviews with relevant in-country representatives. Our analysis shows that blue carbon is acknowledged more widely by observers than by member states of the Arctic Council, and more often in a biodiversity (NBSAP) than in a climate (NDC) context. All interviewees agreed that multiple positive co-benefits could arise from more effective preservation and management of blue carbon ecosystems. While the concept of blue carbon has reached the Arctic to a small extent, it has been primarily associated with coastal ecosystems within international frameworks. Oceanic forms of blue carbon, such as those involving pelagic species, deep-sea ecosystems, and offshore habitats, were recognised in early discussions of blue carbon. However, these oceanic components were not mentioned or specified to a similar extent as were coastal ecosystems in either this analysis or in subsequent policy development and implementation. Although the climate adaptation benefits of coastal and marine ecosystems are acknowledged in scientific research, we observed that international policy frameworks place greater emphasis on their climate change mitigation potential. We briefly explore potential reasons for these patterns, aiming to inform policymakers currently updating their national climate or biodiversity plans. We conclude with observations on science-policy gaps and offer recommended action points. While this assessment focused on the Arctic, the Antarctic could benefit from a similar evaluation, focusing on the role of blue carbon within international policy frameworks relevant for the region to generalise our understanding of polar blue carbon.